speed

more haste, less speed

Acting too quickly and without due diligence, focus, and attention to detail will result in avoidable mistakes and thus require even more time to complete the task satisfactorily. (The logic of the phrase is essentially "too much haste results in less overall speed.") Primarily heard in UK. I know we're all eager to get the new software released to the public, but remember: more haste, less speed. We don't want to end up wasting time fixing bugs that could have been avoided.

speedhead

Someone who abuses or is addicted to an amphetamine, especially methamphetamine. (Also written as "speed head.") This state is a thoroughfare for methamphetamine to the rest of the country, so it's little wonder that there are so many speedheads here.

at top speed

As fast as something or someone can go. Once Tom caught the ball, he took off at top speed toward the end zone.I started feeling nauseous on the way home because Kelly was driving at top speed on a windy highway.

at full speed

As fast as possible. I drove at full speed, and I still got there late.Do you think she has a chance to win the race, if she runs at full speed?They are planning this wedding at full speed. I hope they don't forget any major details.

speed freak

A drug user who abuses or is addicted to an amphetamine, especially methamphetamine (also known as "speed"). This state is a thoroughfare for methamphetamine to the rest of the country, so it's little wonder that there are so many speed freaks here.

clock someone at speeds of

hit speeds of

Make haste slowly,

and More haste, less speed.

Prov. Act quickly, but not so quickly that you make careless mistakes. Jane: Why are you throwing your clothes around the room? Alan: You told me to get my things packed in a hurry. Jane: Yes, but make haste slowly; otherwise we'll have to spend an hour cleaning up the mess you make.I know you want to finish that sweater by Joe's birthday, but you're knitting so fast that you make mistakes. More haste, less speed.

up to par

Fig. as good as the standard or average; up to standard. I'm just not feeling up to par today. I must be coming down with something.The manager said that the report was not up to par and gave it back to Mary to do over again.

*up to speed

1.Fig. moving, operating, or funtioning a normal or desired rate. (*Typically: be ~; bring something ~; get ~; get something ~.) Terri did everything she could to bring her workers up to speed, but couldn't.Can we get this production line up to speed?

2. and *up to speed on someone or something Fig. fully apprised about someone or something; up-to-date on the state of someone or something. (*Typically: be ~; bring someone ~; get ~; get someone ~.) Please bring me up to speed on this matter.I'll feel better about it when I get up to speed on what's going on.

up to speed

if you are up to speed with a subject or an activity, you have all the latest information about it and are able to do it well (often + with ) We arranged for some home tutoring to get him up to speed with the other children in his class. (often + on ) Before we start the meeting, I'm just going to bring you up to speed on the latest developments.

full speed ahead

Also, full steam ahead. As fast and as strongly as possible. For example, There's only one way we'll get there on time, so go full speed ahead, or Production would go full steam ahead as soon as the orders were confirmed. It is also put as with a full head of steam, as in She was traveling with a full head of steam-she was due there at noon. These expressions all allude to the steam engine, where full steam signifies that a boiler has developed maximum pressure. They became well known through an order allegedly given by Admiral David Farragut at the battle of Mobile Bay (1864): "Damn the torpedoes! Full steam ahead!"

speed up

up to par

Also, up to scratch or snuff or speed or the mark . Satisfactory, up to a given standard, as in She didn't feel up to par today so she stayed home, or I'm sure he'll come up to scratch when the time comes, or She's up to snuff again. Nearly all the versions of this idiom come from sports, par from golf, scratch and mark from boxing (after being knocked down a fighter had eight seconds to make his way to a mark scratched in the center of the ring), and speed from racing. However, the allusion in the variant with snuff, which dates from the early 1800s, has been lost.

speed up

v.

1. To increase the speed or rate of something; accelerate something: The company sped up production in order to meet the demand for their product. The conveyor belt is moving too slowly—can you speed it up?

2. To move, work, or happen at a faster rate; accelerate: As he hiked uphill, his pulse sped up.

City officials proposed the program after residents complained about drivers speeding through neighborhood streets.

The humps are usually installed in sets, and have been known to alleviate problems caused by drivers using side streets as short cuts, or to brake excessive speeding in residential neighborhoods, according to officials in neighboring cities.

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